One in four Londoners fear they won’t get home safely in minicab in early hours, research finds

by News Desk | Sep 2, 2016 | London News

One in four Londoners fear they will not make it home safely in a minicab in the early hours of the morning, new research suggests.

A quarter of people living in the capital who use minicabs fear a risk to their safety when travelling in one between 12am and 4am, according to a new survey carried out by YouGov.

The survey for the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association revealed that almost half of minicab users in London doubt that they would be fully insured for any injuries sustained if they were involved in an accident.

And nearly a quarter of Londoners who use minicabs began travelling in them more over the last two years, the research found.

The LTDA has criticised popular minicab app Uber after it launched a legal challenge to tough new private hire rules including requiring drivers to pass a basic English language tests and a crackdown on insurance requirements.

Steve McNamara, LTDA general secretary, said: “Today’s figures are yet more proof of the need for action to ensure that Londoners feel safe and secure when using a minicab.

“Uber’s recent campaign for TfL and the Mayor of London to water down the overdue and much-needed update to PHV [private hire vehicle] regulations shows how out of touch they are with public opinion.”

Mr McNamara added: “The regulator must not only follow through on its proposed changes, but must take further action to raise standards across the industry, if it is to fully address passengers’ concerns and offer them, and other road users in the capital, proper protection.”

But Tom Elvidge, general manager of Uber London, said: “More that 2 million Londoners use Uber on a regular basis and because of the convenience and safety the app has brought to the industry.

“Uber is not a traditional minicab firm so it is  interesting to note that Uber was not mentioned in this poll.

“Uber keeps a record of all drivers’ insurance documents and drivers cant access the app unless they are in place.

“Uber has helped raise standards in the private hire industry by using technology to give people more information than ever before, from their driver’s details to being able to share a live map of their journey and an electronic receipt showing the route taken.”

The survey of 1,037 adults was carried out last week.

Source: Evening Standard

INDEPENDENT TAXI ALLIANCE (ITA) ON CREDIT CARD CHAOS.

by News Desk | Sep 1, 2016 | London News

The ITA believes that TfL’s card machine fiasco is a scam.

A scam backed by credit card companies and groups with vested interests in the deregulation of minicabs, and the demise of the Taxi.

Steve McNamara has to hold his hands up and publicly announced he was wrong to agree to such a toxic mandate.

Isabel Dedring is gone, but not forgotten.

The old TfL Board, which was infested with privateers, has been dispersed. We have a new TfL Board now.

The unctuous former Mayor of London has been given the task of cocking-up Britain’s relationship with the rest of the world.

Most of the people who agreed upon this current merchant solutions and Credit Card Mandates are gone.

So please do not use the term ‘set in stone’, to fob us off.

The trade needs every Taxi Organisation to demand a rethink.

Taxi drivers are sick and tired of their Orgs doing nothing, but accepting the ‘inevitable’.

We need to hear that the Orgs are willing to take to the streets, if need be.

We need the Orgs to publicly state that they believe the current TfL Credit Card Mandate scam is ill thought out and potentially dangerous.

We need the Orgs to state they accept the TfL Credit Card Mandate is unworkable.

We need the Orgs to state they recognise the law of the land over the misguided and unworkable mandate TfLTPH have concocted.

We need the Orgs to listen to their members.

 • The ITA wants card machines to be a mandatory piece of equipment for Taxis.

 • The ITA believes the fixed machine in the back of a cab should not be compulsory.

 • The ITA believes the choice of equipment should be that of the Taxi driver, not of the regulatory body.

 • The ITA believes the Taxi driver should be able to shop around for a card machine, and not have to sign expensive contracts.

When we revert back to the original reason behind the need for a card machine mandate, we come to a singularity; the need for taxis to accept credit and debit card payments.

All was well until the greedy people got wind of it, and realised they could earn some easy money off the backs of hard working Taxi drivers.

Whist PH minicab drivers can saunter around London, untouchable, breaking the law, and terrorising the public; Taxi drivers are being regulated by undemocratic, illegal and draconian methods, threatening their livelihoods and revocation of their licenses.

This has to stop!

It is time the Orgs got together and publicly announced their intention of a unified mass disobedience, and ignored the mandate.

Demanding that TfL and all the Orgs returned to the negotiating table and redressed this unmitigated sham.

If your Org refuses to act upon this manufactured travesty, leave them.

There are plenty of good Orgs out there who will welcome you with open arms.

Posted by,

The Independent Taxi Alliance

Nunquam redono nunquam deditionem